Water-skimming Living

Water-skimming Living The stunning likes of the Ocean Sports series for CRN and the 75m Elle concept epitomize the heights of perfection reached by Omega Architects in constantly evolving the indoor-outdoor aesthetic

by Mary Hegarty- ph. courtesy of Omega Arch.

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Facing page, Frank Laupman at work with a member of his team in the studio he founded in 1995. Above, the 62-meter penned for the italian Shipyard CRN. Opposite, the stunning cockpit of the 75-meter Elle, and to side the new Omega Sports 56m designed for CRN

W

hen Frank Laupman first burst onto the design scene

“We used this momentum to design a next step up, offering versatility

in the 1980s, the influence of the era of iconic indu-

with more space, all with the same recognizable quality as the 52.

strial design was still very much in evidence – think

Her rugged yet elegant interior defines the overall style of the yacht,

the functional streamlined locomotives of Raymond

which has large decks for her size,” he explains. The ocean-going

Loewy – but gradually evolving towards the more romantic aesthetic

56m’s elongated profile adds further sleekness to the model’s exte-

epitomized by Gerhard Gilgenast’s record-breaking Octopussy. “That

rior styling too, but the piece de resistance is an optional panorama

combination of power and romanticism inspired me,” says Laupman

beach club, designed to combine wellness amenities with a water-

who, during his time with Heesen, gave its fleet a new streamlined

skimming lifestyle.

aesthetic it retains to this day. However, since he founded Omega

A stern lounge opens up to a vast swim platform to ultra-inviting effect,

Architects, one of the evolving leitmotifs running through Laupman’s

while a side boarding tender platform doubles as more sunbathing spa-

work has been the indoor-outdoor relationship. The generous deck

ce. Essentially, the beach club brings onboard living back down to water

spaces aboard the captivating 75m Elle sports cruising concept de-

level – guests can spend long days swimming off the back of the yacht

veloped with Van Oossanen typify this approach. Another example

without constantly needing to move between decks. Crisp white crochet

is the Ocean Sports range, the result of a 10-year partnership with

trimmed furnishings compliment the dark teak of the ceilings and flo-

CRN that has evolved the prestige Italian yard’s identity. “We based

ors, while a lush spa area is an impressive touch of luxury. The Ocean

it on their wish to build large volume yacht with a sportier, more

Sports 56m has a divinely transparent quality, its interior architecture

robust character and interesting interior-exterior relationship,” says

interacting seamlessly with its sculptural exteriors. The signature Ocean

Laupman. He describes the latest addition, the Ocean Sports 56m,

Sports’ main deck arch is higher also to afford uninterrupted side views

as “a ravishing evolution” of the 52m currently in build at CRN, a

yet still protect the privacy of the aft deck and the main saloon, despite

“bridge” between the latter and the 62m, also under construction.

its floor-to-ceiling windows.

omega-architects.com

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